A healthcare worker who survived a maritime incident in Lau last month went without salary for at least three months after applying for and being granted study leave, Assistant Health Minister Penioni Ravunawa has confirmed.
Mr Ravunawa said the worker, understood to be a peer educator, had initially applied for study leave, which was approved, resulting in the cessation of her salary.
“She initially applied for study leave, which was approved, and the cessation of her salary was effective,” he said.
However, the worker later changed her mind and returned to the Ministry of Health.
Mr Ravunawa said the salary lapse occurred because a process under the Government of Fiji Finance Instructions had to be followed when an employee resumed work after approved leave.
“The worker later changed her mind and rejoined the ministry,” he said.
“In such cases, there’s a process to be followed in accordance with the Government of Fiji Finance Instructions. Hence, there was a lapse in her salary.”
He said the worker was eventually placed back on the payroll after the ministry became aware of the situation.
The healthcare worker was among six medical personnel who were stranded at sea for more than 30 hours in Lau waters while travelling for health outreach work.
They were eventually rescued by the crew of the Lomaiviti Princess 12 and taken to Lakeba for medical assessment.
